Returning from a contact visit to Romania, Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg expressed his support for the call for forceful ombudswork for children. There are a number of serious problems relating to child rights, he stated.
Roma children are still disadvantaged in the Romanian society, not least in schooling. The situation of a number of those children whose parents have gone abroad to find employment requires supportive action. HIV-infected teenagers need protection against discrimination and prejudices. Minors who have offended the law should be treated in a manner which promotes their rehabilitation.
Commissioner Hammarberg welcomed the work by the Romanian ombudsman for children but recommended that further resources be allocated to monitoring and independent initiatives for the improvement of the rights of the child, as proposed by Save the Children.